SHOULD MOTORCYCLES HAVE A SPECIAL EXCEPTION TO RED LIGHTS?

The Nebraska unicameral is currently exploring a proposed bill, introduced by Nebraska State Senator Paul Schumacher, which would allow motorcyclists to drive through red traffic lights if the rider had already waited at least two minutes for the light to change.  Advocates of the proposed bill suggest that traffic sensors are not triggered as easily by lightweight motorcycles as other vehicles, causing a delay in the change of the light for motorcycles.

The bill, LB 85, was introduced and indefinitely postponed, however its proposal offers an interesting perspective regarding the ability of traffic lights to “sense” traffic weighing less than 1,000 pounds.  An additional element of the proposed bill requires no other cars to be present as well as the two minute delay prior to travelling through a red light.  Opponents of the bill argue that the law would be too difficult to enforce as it would be nearly impossible to keep track of the two-minute time requirement.  In 2011, Illinois suggested a similar measure for cities with populations of less than two million.  The Illinois law passed in 2012.  South Carolina also passed a similar law in 2008.  According to USA Today, at least seven other states already have similar regulations.

Although not everyone agrees with the length of time spent waiting for red lights, is there really a good argument to be made for allowing motorcycles special exceptions to the rules of the road?  Will these types of proposed laws increase traffic accidents caused by violation of red lights?  Will liability be more difficult to prove in cases involving a motorcycle which runs a red light?  These are all considerations the Unicameral will have to consider in debating LB 85, should it be reintroduced in the future.

GRANUFLO SIDE EFFECTS ENDANGER THE LIVES OF DIALYSIS PATIENTS

 

Hemodialysis treatment can be an efficient way to replace loss of function in the kidneys; however it can also cause a number of side effects, such as low blood pressure, muscle cramps, itching, sleep problems, anemia, bone diseases and high blood pressure.   Patients could also suffer from pericarditis, high potassium levels, stiffness and fluid in joints and depression.   Many of these side effects are a result of the loss of electrolytes during the dialysis process.  One treatment which is effective at reducing the side effects caused by loss of electrolytes is the use of Granulfo, a drug originally seen as a safe treatment option due to its lack of volatile chemicals. 

Unfortunately, GranuFlo also has some very dangerous side effects of its own, and was recalled in March of 2012 because it contains more of a substance which converts into bicarbonate in the human body.  This additional bicarbonate can lead to heart problems and cause side effects including death, heart attack, low blood pressure, low potassium in the blood, low levels of oxygen in the blood, excessive carbon dioxide in the blood and cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

In the early 2000’s, GranuFlo was seen as the safest dialysate on the market.  However, increased use of GranuFlo and its sister product, NaturaLyte, led to a rise in the number of cardiac arrest complaints by patients who were treated with its usage in early 2012.   At that time, the drug was deemed unsafe for human consumption due to the increased amounts of bicarbonate in the body. In February of 2013, a widow filed a lawsuit in Alabama Northern District Court alleging her husband suffered severe injuries, including cardiovascular death, after receiving Granulfo.  In March of 2012, the FDA published a Class I recall of NaturaLyte and Granulfo due to the high serum bicarbonate levels, causing metabolic alkalosis, associated with cardiac arrhythmia that had the potential to culminate into cardiac arrest.  In January of 2013, an additional lawsuit was filed in the Louisiana Eastern District Court alleging the plaintiff suffered heart attack and stroke as well as severe pain and suffering, following hemodialysis treatment with Granulfo and/or NaturaLyte.

Fresenius Medical Care, the manufacturers of Granulfo and NaturaLyte, owes the users of these drugs a duty of care.  If you or a family member were exposed to the use of Granulfo or its sister product, NaturaLyte, and suffered a cardiac arrest or developed serious heart complications you may be entitled to compensation.  Inserra & Kelley is proud to offer a free initial evaluation of your case.  Contact us today to start your claim evaluation.

NEBRASKA EXPLORES RAISING MINIMIM INSURANCE RATES

If you have ever been involved in an automobile accident, you understand the importance of properly insuring your vehicle. Vehicle insurance is designed to cover your risk of financial liability or loss if you are involved in an automobile accident causing property damages or personal injuries. Most states require vehicle owners to carry a certain amount of “minimal limits” of liability insurance to cover a driver’s potential negligence in operating a motor vehicle. In Nebraska, the minimal limits currently are $25,000.00 per person and $50,000.00 per accident (when two or more persons are injured in the same accident). Is $25,000.00 a sufficient amount of insurance when you consider the rising costs of medical care?

In January of 2013, Nebraska State Senator Paul Schumacher introduced LB 80, a bill proposing increases to the minimal liability insurance limits required in Nebraska. The bill proposes the minimal liability limits in Nebraska be raised from $25,000.00 to $50,000.00 per person and from $50,000.00 per accident to $100,000.00 per accident (in cases where two or more people are injured in the same accident). This change would pay up to $50,000.00 per injured person in an accident up to $100,000.00 for two or more persons injured in one accident. Consumers would still be able to purchase larger limits, however the mandatory minimum liability limits would be raised.

As a personal injury law firm, we see cases all the time where the minimal limits of $25,000.00 per person and $50,000.00 per accident does not even cover the medical bills incurred in an accident. Inserra & Kelley encourages our clients to carry insurance limits sufficient to protect themselves not only for their own liability, but in cases where you must protect yourself from the negligence of persons who are operating an uninsured motor vehicle. According to the Insurance Research Council, California Department of Insurance, 8% of all Nebraska drivers are operating motor vehicles uninsured. This makes it even more important for drivers to carry sufficient limits. If you are struck by an uninsured driver who has no non-exempt assets, your only option for covering your medical bills is to make a claim under your own underinsured/uninsured coverage. If you have any questions regarding how much coverage you should carry, please contact your insurance agent or give our law firm, Inserra & Kelley a call for a free analysis of your current coverage.

Bicycle Safety Tips: How Not to Get Hit

As we move into the Spring and Summer seasons, it is a great opportunity to remind ourselves the importance of bicycle safety. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to get hit by a car when riding on public streets, and sometimes wearing a helmet and following the law is not enough to protect you from unsafe or careless drivers. Bicyclesafe.com offers us some excellent tips on how not to get hit when riding your bicycle on a public roadway. Remember that defensive driving is not just for motorists, so wear your helmet, avoid busy streets, signal your turns and be aware of your surroundings when riding a bicycle. Have a safe and happy summer!

KIDS AND CARS URGES CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION REGARDING REARVIEW CAMERAS IN CARS

Families of Children Killed in Car Backover Incidents and Safety Groups Urge Obama Administration to Take Action on Rearview Cameras in Cars

Over 1,100 People Killed Since Law Was Passed

Washington, DC – Parents of children killed in backover incidents and safety groups today joined Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Peter King (R-NY) at a Capitol Hill press event to urge the Obama Administration to release a rear visibility rule for motor vehicles. With strong bipartisan support Congress required this safety rule in the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act signed into law by President George W. Bush in February 2008. The rule is two years overdue and should have been issued by February 2011.

“It is clear from so many other actions that President Obama has the safety of our children as a top priority. We urge the President to take one simple step today and issue the rear visibility rule. These unacceptable and unnecessary deaths and injuries from backover incidents must stop,” said Janette Fennell, president, KidsAndCars.org.

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Plaintiff Awarded $3.35 Million Compensatory Verdict in Vaginal Mesh Case

Inserra & Kelley is happy to announce that a Plaintiff has won a $3.35 Million Dollar compensatory verdict in New Jersey as a result of damages sustained from a vaginal Read more

KIDSANDCARS.ORG

INSERRA & KELLEY SUPPORTS KIDSANDCARS.ORG

Inserra & Kelley has joined KidsAndCars.org in their campaign against the dangers cars present to children.  KidsAndCars.org was established after Janette Fennell,    Read more

Lawyers Against Hunger

Inserra and Kelley is the first Nebraska firm to participate in the Lawyers Against Hunger campaign by giving away 500 turkeys. It was a beautiful day and a good   Read more

FDA Convenes Expert Panel to Discuss Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Systems

Metal-on-metal hip replacement systems have come under close scrutiny in the last couple of years, as new studies have shown increased risks and failure rates for Read more

Kids and Cars

Keep Your Kids Out of Hot Cars This Summer

The vehicle safety advocacy organization KidsandCars.org has for a long time waged public safety campaigns to help keep kids safe around cars, even when they aren’t moving. They work to highlight some of the more “under the radar” risks like trunk entrapment, power windows, roll-overs, and—most timely right now—the risk of heat stroke.

According to the safety organization, nearly 40 children die every single year because of heat-related causes after being trapped inside a motor vehicle. Of course, this risk is greatly increased during the summer months, when even the best parents or caregivers might accidently overlook the sleeping child in the car seat.
This spring, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched its own safety campaign to prevent child heatstroke. It is the first ever national campaign focused on this important safety issue and encourages parents and caregivers to think “Where’s baby? Look before you lock.” NHTSA data shows that heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle related deaths for children under the age of 14. In addition to the deaths, heatstroke can cause serious ailments such as permanent brain injury, blindness and loss of hearing, among other health issues.

Research has shown that heatstroke deaths are usually caused by a couple strings of events. One situation involves a child playing in a vehicle without the caregiver’s knowledge. Heatstroke incidents are also frequently connected to a change in routine for the caregiver, particularly when they are not normally in charge of transporting the child.

The NHTSA campaign urges parents and caregivers to take the following types of precautions to prevent these tragic accidents from occurring:
• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle – even if the windows are partially open or the engine is running and the air conditioning is on
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle – front and back – before locking the door and walking away
• Ask the childcare provider to call if the child does not show up for care as expected
• Do things that serve as a reminder a child is in the vehicle, such as placing a purse or briefcase in the back seat to ensure no child is accidently left in the vehicle, writing a note or using a stuffed animal placed in the driver’s view to indicate a child is in the car seat
• Teach children a vehicle is not a play area and store keys out of a child’s reach
• Community members can also play a vital role in protecting young children by calling 911 or another local emergency number if they see a child alone in a hot vehicle.